16 days Delhi to Kochi Kick off in Delhi, both old and new, explore the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra and the stunning Pink City of Jaipur. Fly south to Chennai and head from the west to east coast of southern India, exploring magnificent temples and former colonial towns en route. End your tour in the beautiful port city of Kochi. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Delhi - Take in the sights of old and new Delhi on a guided tour of India s capital city including Humayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid and Gandhi's crematorium Raj Ghat. Take a Rickshaw ride through Delhi's backstreets. Agra and the Taj Mahal - Admire India s most famous monument and visit nearby Agra Fort Fatehpur Sikri - Uncover an abandoned Mughal city Karauli - A former princely state. Stay in the Maharaja's Palace and see the fine restoration work taking place at Karauli City Palace Jaipur - Discover the City Palace & Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort and a visit to cotton trader/tailor Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram Temples - Discover the stunning Shore Temple, Arjunas Penance and Five Rathas Pondicherry - Soak up the atmosphere in this former French colonial town Madurai - Experience a fascinating Aarti ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple Tanjore - Visit the ornate Brihadishwara Temple Trichy - Learn the incredible history of the Rock Fort Temple and it's role in the relationship between the British Empire and India Kochi - Independently explore Fort Kochi, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets What's Included 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners 14 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels and 1 night overnight sleeper train from Trichy to Kochi Travel by jeep to the Amber Fort in Jaipur Airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 16 Touring of Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Karauli Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites All relevant transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles Guided touring of Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram Temples, Pondicherry and Madurai What's Not Included Tipping Kitty: US$60-70, paid in local currency Entrance Fees: US$95-105, paid in local currency International flights and visas Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow $3-7 USD per day per traveller. Tipping your tour guide is an entirely personal gesture DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Delhi Saturday. Upon arrival into Delhi, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore this bustling capital city. Overnight - Delhi Day 2 : Old & New Delhi -1-
After breakfast, a welcome meeting will take place, where you'll meet the rest of the group and your tour guide. Entrance fees for your tour and a tip kitty will also be collected at this time. The tip kitty will cover any tipping required throughout the tour, apart from a tip for your tour guide. Following the welcome meeting we set off for a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. This 17th century walled city of Shahjahanabad was the erstwhile capital of Mughal India, with city gates, narrow alleyways, bazaars, mosques and other historic monuments. Today Old Delhi is still a hive of activity, and the Chandhi Chowk bazaar is a colourful place to people watch. We will enjoy a rickshaw ride through this bustling bazaar. Sightseeing highlights of Old Delhi include: Jama Masjid- The largest mosque in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan Raj Ghat - on the banks of the Yamuna River lies a marble memorial marking the spot where the great leader - Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination New Delhi, in contrast to Old Delhi is a city of wide tree-lined streets, parks, fountains and roundabouts designed by Edward Lutyens and built as the imperial capital of India by the British. This part of the city also houses many government buildings including Rashtrapati Bhavan the official residence of the President of India which stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath from the India Gate. Sightseeing highlights of New Delhi include: Humayun's Tomb - the magnificent tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun Rajpath an immensely broad boulevard flanked on either side by ornamental ponds. The Republic Day parade is held here every 26 January, drawing millions of people to this spectacle. It is at the eastern end of Rajpath we ll see the India Gate India Gate - The 42 metre high stone Arch of Triumph, erected in memory of Indian soldiers who died in the First World War Tonight, we enjoy a Namaste Dinner at our hotel. Overnight - Delhi (B, D) Day 3 : Taj Mahal Delhi - Agra. Departing Delhi, we make our way to Agra, the erstwhile capital of the Mughal empire. Our first stop here is the impressive Agra Fort, which boasts some of India's finest Mughal buildings behind its fortified walls. Construction of the fort began during the reign of Emperor Akbar and additions were made until the rule of his grandson Shah Jahan. During Akbar s time, it was primarily a military fort though later the focus shifted and it became a palace. From the Agra Fort we make a short journey to the legendary Taj Mahal. Built by the order of Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century in affectionate memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal is perhaps one of the most extravagant monuments to love ever built and has no peers. A staggering total of 20,000 workers contributed their skills in the construction of this unique mausoleum. Overnight - Agra (B) Day 4 : The princely state of Karauli We drive on to Bharatpur where we'll enjoy lunch before continuing our journey to Karauli, arriving mid afternoon. The total drive time today will be approximately 4-5 hours. The rural village of Karauli was a princely state of India from 1348 until 1949. The current Maharaja (181st in the Royal Dynasty) and Maharani of Karauli have recently opened the doors of their stately Palace Bhanwar Vilas, built in 1938, as a 3-4 star heritage hotel and we'll spend the night here. During our stay we can explore the palace, guest quarters, banquet and reception halls, stables and grounds at leisure. The sovereigns, continue to reside at the palace and the young princess often gives guided tours of the palace, which we will take part in, if the opportunity arises. The family is also lovingly restoring the Karauli City Palace, which we visit later this afternoon. Tonight there is the opportunity to attend the evening Aaarti (prayer) taking place nearby. Overnight - Karauli (B, L, D) Day 5 : Jaipur Karauli - Jaipur. This morning we stop briefly to visit the children and teachers at a local school (if open), where we operate our Change for Children programme. If you have bought any educational items with you to hand out to children this would be the time to do so. You can also make a donation to the school if you choose via our Change For Children project. Your guide will hand out envelopes to those interested. Then we drive on to Jaipur (approximately 5 hours), the bustling capital of the state of Rajasthan. Upon arrival the rest of the day is free for you to spend at your own leisure. Overnight - Jaipur (B) Agra - Karauli. Bright and early this morning we leave Agra and drive to the ghostly former Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, which has been deserted for over four centuries after it was allegedly abandoned due to a lack of water. Thanks to the very durable red sandstone from which it was built, Fatehpur Sikri still remains well-preserved and is a fascinating place to explore. -2-
Day 6 : Jaipur sightseeing textiles and handicrafts around the City Palace or Hawa Mahal. Our vehicle will be available to drop you to the market, and it is easy enough to grab a rickshaw on the way back. Overnight Jaipur (B) Day 7 : Return to Delhi Jaipur. Early this morning there is the opportunity to see Jaipur from high above with an optional hot air balloon ride. We then travel beyond Jaipur to the stunning 16th century Amber Fort, reaching its summit by jeep, where we enjoy a tour of the fort's well-preserved interior and grounds. Later we visit a cotton weaving house to see a demonstration of fabric dying and block printing. En route to the City Palace, we pass Hawa Mahal the Palace of the Winds. Although little more than an impressive façade, it is one of the city s landmarks and a stunning example of Rajput architecture. Next we visit the City Palace, a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, which is still the residence of the Maharaja if the flag is flying, it means he is home! A part of palace has also been converted into a museum, which has an impressive collection of arts, carpets, enamelware and weaponry. Just over the road from the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, an observatory of astronomy built by Jai Singh in 1728. On our way up here be sure to keep an eye out for the snake charmers, fortune tellers and astronomers lining our pathway. Of the five observatories built by Jai Singh, this is the largest and best preserved. At first glance, Jantar Mantar resembles a sculpture park, though in fact, each construction has a specific scientific purpose. Some measure the positions of stars, whilst others calculate eclipses, the lunar calendar and simply the time of day. Even today, most of the constructions remain accurate! Later this evening you can also opt to explore the Johari Bazaar in the Old Pink City which is a great place to pick up some souvenirs. Top choices include jootis (traditional Rajasthani curled shoes), Jaipur s famous blue pottery, Jaipur - Delhi. This morning we drive back to Delhi. The afternoon is free for you to further discover the city. Opt for a meal in the heart of the city or simply relax and chat with group members at the hotel. Overnight - Delhi (B) Day 10 : Pondicherry Day 8 : Delhi to Chennai Delhi - Chennai Mahabalipuram. Today we head to Delhi airport for our flight south to Chennai. Upon arrival at Chennai airport you'll be met by our representative and transferred to Mahablipuram, about a 90 minute drive from Chennai. After arriving at our hotel the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore Mahablipuram on your own. Overnight - Mahabalipuram (B) Day 9 : Kanchipuram Temples This morning we visit Kanchipuram, the capital of the Pallava dynasty from the 6th to 8th century and home to some southern India's most impressive temples. Split in to two sections we will visit the nothern Shiva temples as well as the southern Vishnu temples. Kanchipuram is also known as the 'silk city of India'. It has a thriving handloom industry with an enviable reputation as the producer of the best silk sarees in India. This afternoon we return to Mahabalipuram, also know as Mamallapuram, for a tour of the highlights. Our first stop will be to the beautiful Shore Temple, built in the 7th century during the reign of Rajasimha, it's so name because it overlooks the Bay of Bengal. Next we continue to Arjuna's Penance, the worlds largest basrelief carving. This impressive collections of sculptures is one of India's most fascinating ancient artworks. Our final stop this afternoon is the Five Rathas, each one incredibly carved from single large rocks. Built in the 7th century these Hindu temples were covered in sand until their discovery by the British around 200 years ago. Overnight - Mahabalipuram (B) Mahabalipuram Pondicherry. Departing Mahabalipuram this morning we head for the former French colonial city of Pondicherry (Puducherry). French rule of the city lasted until 1954 and the influence can still be seen today in the architecture of the old town and the many French-India restaurants. Our first stop today will be Pondicherry Beach, with it's beautiful golden sand and lapping waves. We then continue to Sacred Heart Church, built in 1895 this beautiful red and white church was upgraded to a Basillica in 2011. Another highlight and one that brings many travellers to Pondicherry is the the popular Sri Aurobindo Ashram, whose spiritual tenets combine yoga and modern science. Overnight - Pondicherry (B) Day 11 : Temples of Tamil Nadu Pondicherry Tanjore. After breakfast we head away from the coastal Pondicherry to an -3-
important centre of South Indian religion, art and architecture, Tanjore (Thanjavur). En route we'll visit temples in the towns of Chidambaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darssuram. Meenakshi Temple to enjoy an Aarti Ceremony, which involves candles and music in praise of the gods and goddesses being worshipped. Overnight - Madurai (B) Day 13 : Madurai In Chidambaram we'll visit the Natraja Temple, the present temple dates to the 10th century, making it one of the oldest temples in Southern India. We continue to Gangaikonda Cholapuram where we visit Brihadisvara Temple, completed in 1035 it is a great example of a Dravidian style temple. Next we visit Darasuram, home to the 12th century, UNESCO world heritage listed, Airavateswara temple. At this temple you'll witness some well preserved stone carvings including a number of Chariot inspired structures. Our day ends this afternoon upon arrival in to Tanjore, where you'll have the evening free to relax or explore this colourful city. Overnight Tanjore (B) Day 12 : Evening Aarti Ceremony After breakfast we proceed for half day city tour of Madurai, first up we visit Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, a temple built in the Indo-Saracanic style by the Nayaks. The main attractions here are the musical pillars and the pathway. We continue to Thirupparankunram Murugan Temple, located around 8 km from the center of Madurai city. This temple is cut straight into the rock and is considered one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Next we revisit Meenakshi temple, for a second chance to view the magnificently carved temple. Considered by some as the holiest place of worship in South India, it draws thousands of devotees everyday. We end the day exploring the local bazaar. Overnight Madurai (B) Day 14 : Rock Fort Temple Tanjore Madurai. This morning we enjoy a tour of Tanjore, an ancient fortified town, with a glorious history dating back more than 1500 years. Thanjavur was the ancient capital of the Chola kings whose origins date back to the beginning of Christianity. Our city tour includes the enormous Brihadishwara Temple. Built by Raja Raja in 1010, the World Heritage protected temple has a dome weighing an estimated 80 tonnes which was hauled into place along an earth ramp in a manner similar to that used for the Egyptian pyramids. This afternoon we drive to Madurai and check in to our hotel. Later we make our way to This evening we transfer to the railway station to board our overnight train journey to Kochi. It's recommended to brings snacks and supplies for the journey and the following morning. Overnight - Overnight Sleeper Train (B) Day 15 : Kochi Arriving into Kochi train station this morning you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day offers free time to explore Kochi. Long famed in the history books, Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) offered refuge to Jews more than 2,500 years ago. The Portuguese founded the first European colony in Kochi in the 16th century, then the Dutch quickly followed and eventually, the British. The cosmopolitan mix of cultures makes the city truly fascinating. Overnight - Kochi Day 16 : Kochi Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Madurai Trichy - Kochi. Today we make our way to Trichy (also known as Tiruchirappalli). Our first stop is Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, this colourful temple covers 156 acres and lies on an island formed by the Kaveri and Kollidam rivers. Dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of Vishnu, it is believed that the sight on where the temple stands has existed since the 2nd century. Next we visit the Rock Fort Temple, originally built as a temple by the Pallavas, it's location a top a ancient rock meant that it was eventually used as a fort. The Rock Fort temple has witnessed fierce battles over the years and played an important role during the Carnatic wars, helping to lay the foundations of the British Empire in India. We also visit Sri Jambukeswarar Temple, built by Kochengon, a Tamil king during one of the Early Cholas, said to be around 1,800 years ago. A transfer will be provided to take you to Kochi airport. (B) KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Entrance Fees On our India group tours, selected entry fees are included, however all others must be budgeted for by you. The total cost of the entrance fees which need to be paid locally, as noted under -4-
'Exclusions' on the first page of this document. Entrance fee amounts can change and as such upon arrival to India your tour leader will highlight the exact total entrance fee cost for your tour. PLEASE NOTE: Entrance fees are to be paid in INDIAN RUPEES (INR) and they will be collected on day 2 of your tour. If travelling on our Railways of the Raj tour, entrance fees will not be collected and are payable by you at each site. If travelling to Sri Lanka on our Delhi to Colombo tour, entrance fees for that section of your tour will be collected by your guide in Sri Lanka and payable in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Language While English is not the first language in India, it is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication. Hindi is the national language and primary tongue A cycle rickshaw is a 3-wheeler bicycle with a seat for passengers behind the rider. Although not often seen in big cities, you ll find them in Old Delhi and all the smaller towns, where they are a common mode of transport. Again, negotiate the fare before departure. Begging With more than 350 million people in India living on less than USD$2 per day, inevitably you will come across many people begging for money. Begging has a legitimate place in Indian society. Even poor people give to beggars or charities to earn religious merit. The Indian government, however, would like to regulate begging more stringently. Though begging is common, you are not under obligation to give money. If you choose to give money to beggars, we advise you to do this from the vehicle and not on the street. of 30% of the people and there are 22 official languages in addition to Hindi, including: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Sanskrit Dogri,Santali, Bodo,Maithali, Manipuri, Nepali and Konkani. Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language. Alternatively, consider donating pencils, pens or modest educational supplies to village schools. Taxis & Rickshaws India is a constitutional democracy. There are 29 states and 7 union territories. Parliament is bicameral; the lower house is known as the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the upper Taxis are cheap and readily available in most of the bigger towns in India. Most of them possess metres, although taxi drivers who use their metre are rare! Try and get an idea of the likely fare before you leave your hotel. The front desk staff or your tour guide should be able to assist you. Then negotiate with the driver before departure. Motorised three-wheel rickshaws are available for hire throughout the country. Powered by a 2stroke motorcycle engine with a driver upfront and seating for 2-3 at the rear, with no doors and a canvas roof, these rickshaws weave their way speedily through oncoming traffic. The ride will be fast, efficient and certainly an experience! Always negotiate the price you want to pay before setting off. Offering around 50% of the asking price is the general rule of thumb, though you ll always pay more than the going rate for a local! Religion More than 80% of the country practice Hinduism. The remaining 20% comprise followers of Islam (12%), Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and other minority beliefs. System of Government house is known as the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Not like Home Travelling to far flung corners of the earth often involves encountering lifestyles and conditions that are very different from what you are used to back home. As such it is important to come prepared for unusual situations, local inadequacies and unpredictable events as and when they occur. Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for people who expect or demand everything to go exactly as planned, as things can and do change in foreign countries. The people, customs, creed and languages of India are different from one region to the next. It is as vast as it is crowded, and as opulent as it is squalid. India is exciting, intense and diverse an all-embracing experience, a veritable assault on the senses. Sometimes the poverty will get you down, Indian bureaucracy can test your patience and facing another traffic jam will seem almost too much to bear. Yet, it s all worthwhile. While India is far from the easiest country in the world to travel around, On The Go will try their best to make your tour as seamless as possible. Our holidays combine comfortable transportation, comprehensive sightseeing and good hotels, allowing you to concentrate on getting the most out of your stay. India is a country of unparalleled contrasts, a destination where you ll be afforded plenty of unique encounters, and if you can travel with an open mind you will have a wonderful time here. In return, please remember to demonstrate sensitivity and respect for local customs. Tipping Kitty Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, or unsure about when or how much to tip. However, in India tipping makes up a significant part of many people s wages so it s important that we get it right. For this reason, we ve developed a very simple system to take all the hassle out of tipping. With our tipping made easy policy, a nominal pre-determined amount is collected from all group tour participants to cover tips en route. This then saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, local guides and other support staff through the tour. The tipping kitty amount is noted under 'Exclusions' on the first page of these Trip Notes. PLEASE NOTE: The tipping kitty is to be paid in INDIAN RUPEES (INR) and it will be collected on day 2 of your tour. If travelling onto Sri Lanka on our Delhi to Colombo tour, the tipping kitty for that section of your tour will be collected by your guide in Sri Lanka and payable in Sri Lankan Rupees (SLR). If travelling on our Railways of the Raj tour, a tip kitty will not be collected and we ask that you independently manage tipping along the way. Our Tip Kitty doesn t include a tip for your group tour guide, where we suggest an amount -5-
of approx USD$3-7 per day multiplied by the duration of your tour. Naturally though, the amount is up to you. The tip for your guide is an entirely personal gesture. passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of return from India. The Taj Mahal Since 2015 there have been renovation works If travelling on a group tour with less than 6 participants or on a tailor-made holiday, in place of tipping made easy we recommend the following amounts per person per day be allocated to cover tips paid directly by you to - bellhops, luggage handlers, your driver and local guides - USD $9 if the day includes a local guide & sightseeing and USD $4 if the day excludes a local guide and sightseeing. taking place on the Taj Mahal using a 'mud pack therapy' to remove the layers of dirt which have built up. A large part of this work has already been completed, however, there are works still to be done on the main dome and all work is not expected to be completed before early 2019. For further information please contact one of our reservation staff. Visas The currency of India is the Indian Rupee. All foreign nationals must obtain a visa for a visit to India and it is essential the visa be procured prior to travel. UK, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and USA passport holders can take advantage of India's online visa service (subject to eligibility). Information about the e-tourist Visa (etv) process can be found at: https:// indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html The online application should be submitted a minimum of 4 working days and a maximum of 120 days in advance of proposed date of arrival. Entry to India must be within 120 days of the etv approval date and the visa is valid for 60 days from arrival. Please visit the website noted above for more info. The e-tourist Visas are 60 day, double-entry visas. You cannot obtain an e-tourist Visa if you plan to stay in India for more than 60 days or if you require more than 2 entries. A six month multiple entry visa can be obtained from the embassy in advance of travel. If you're a resident of the UK and would like someone to handle your visa application for you then we recommend CIBTvisas. Please visit http://www.cibtvisas.co.uk/onthego for more details on how to start your visa application with them. Visa requirements are subject to change and that visa procurement prior to departure is solely the responsibility of the traveller and not of On The Go Tours. Please also ensure that your Currency TOP TIP: Before leaving home inform your bank that you will be travelling to India, as otherwise your bank may think that your transaction made in India is fraudulent and withhold funds until you contact them. Train Travel In India Pound Sterling, US Dollars or other major currencies can be exchanged only in India, as the Rupee is presently exchangeable only in destination. The Rupee is non-exportable, so spend it all before you leave! Exchange facilities are available at major airports and bureau de changes and to a lesser degree, ATMs/cash machines exist in larger towns. It's advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities. Traveller's Cheques are not recommended as they're often difficult to exchange and incur high fees. Domestic Flights - Baggage Allowance If your tour includes a domestic flight or you have independently booked domestic flights separate to that of your international flights, please be mindful that that free baggage allowance for Economy Class travel on flights within India is generally between 15-25kg (varying by airline) with 5-7kg for hand luggage. Business Class travel offers considerably more. Additional weight is charged per kilo and varies between airlines. Please ensure that you check these requirements prior to travel, if travelling with more than 15kg. ATMs & Credit Cards Exchange facilities are available at various bureau de changes, banks and at most hotels. Bring clean, unmarked cash in US Dollars (not USD 100 bills as these are hard to change), Euro or Pound Sterling. Commission charges vary from place to place and bank to bank. ATMs are available in all major towns and cities. We recommend you take a mixture of cash and credit/debit cards (for ATM usage). Please avoid bringing Travellers Cheques as they can sometimes be difficult to change. Credit cards are an acceptable means of payment in most major tourist centres, including larger shops and businesses. Travelling by train in India is an unforgettable local experience where you will get to meet Indian people and experience daily life as they do. The Indian Railway system is the world s second largest, with over 108,706 km of track, connecting more than 7000 stations. Every day, more than 7000 trains run, carrying some 14 million passengers, including us. Several our group tours and add-ons include train journeys, some by day and others overnight. If your tour does include train travel, we have noted within the itinerary the coach/class of travel that will be booked. Below is some further information that may assist you in planning for your journey. AC CHAIR CAR If travelling on a daytime journey, you will travel in an air-conditioned seated carriage (called AC chair car), similar to that of a standard city trains in most western countries. When travelling to loftier destinations where the weather is cooler, air-conditioning may not be provided. 2nd AC COACH/SLEEPER If travelling overnight, we accommodate passengers in the 2nd class sleeper air-conditioned category (unless otherwise indicated at a higher level). 2nd class sleeper air-conditioned cabins consist of 2 upper and 2 lower bunks, plus a double-decker set of bunk beds on the opposite side of the cabin shared by you and other Indian travellers. You can sit up on your bench seat during the day and simply lie down once you are ready to go to sleep. -6-
All cabins are mixed sex. Your cabin is not self-contained as such. Cabins are separated from the carriage corridor by curtains, serving as an artificial barrier that can be drawn at night. Luggage, including hand luggage should be locked (as you would do when travelling on any overnight train anywhere in the world) and can be stored underneath the lower bunks or on the floor. The carriage is manned by an attendant who will distribute linen, free of charge. Dependent upon the service, a variety of snacks and drinks or full dinner service can be ordered at an additional cost (except for the Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani Express where meals are included within your fare). Food aboard the Shatabdi Express train is most often exceptionally good, though on many other train services it is probably best to buy snacks, fresh fruit that can be peeled or meals prior to the start of your journey. In addition, there are WC facilities (European and squat-style ) at each end of the carriage. Cleanliness varies, so be prepared and take your own anti-bacterial hand wipes and toilet paper. 1st AC COACH/ SLEEPER All Indian trains offer 2nd and 3rd AC coaches, but only a handful of trains offer 1st AC coaches, which can accommodate a tiny total of 18 people. 1st AC coach/ sleepers only have berths on one side of the train hence making the cabin more spacious. The cabin may have 2 berths or 4 which seat/sleep 2 or 4 persons. You can sit up a on bench seat during the day, which is folded into bunk beds at night. The 1st AC coach also has a door making it fully closed and lockable for 2 or 4 persons. Beds are a tad wider and mattresses more cushioned. Each cabin has a 'bell' switch, which when pressed summons the attendant of the coach. 3rd AC COACH/ SLEEPER We do not include 3rd AC coach travel within any of our tours, though if you were considering it for personal arrangements a description can be given as follows. 3rd AC coach is very similar to 2nd AC coach with the only difference being that there is a middle berth ie not just a 2 bunk bed but a triple bunk bed, hence making it possible for 6 people to be accommodated within the space. Like the 2nd AC coach there is also another set of bunk beds on the opposite side ie running parallel with the length of the train. Like 2nd AC, there s no door just curtains and again you sit up on your bunk bed during the day and lie down to sleep. Health Requirements You should seek medical advice before travelling to India from your local health practitioner and ensure that you receive all the appropriate vaccinations. As a guide Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Polio are strongly recommended. You are also advised to take anti-malarial medication. Water As tap water is not safe to drink in India, only drink bottled mineral water which is readily available in hotels, shops and restaurants. You should also avoid salads which may be washed in unhygienic water. Climate India has a three-season year known as the hot, the wet and the cool. The best time to visit is between September and April when temperatures are cooler and therefore ideal for sightseeing. In the summer months of May to July it is less crowded and conditions are perfect for sightseeing and photography, although parts of India are extremely hot. July signals the start of the monsoon or wet season that continues until early September. Although the weather is humid, the days are punctuated by intermittent rainfall and the monsoon is India is actually quite spectacular and refreshing. Time & Voltage India is 5 hours 30 mins ahead of GMT. Standard voltage is 230-240V (usually 240V). Pack a universal travel adaptor that will allow you to use a hairdryer, electric shaver, charge a mobile phone and other electrical items. Take care with your choice of adaptor. Be sure that it is suitable for India, as Indian sockets accept round 3 pin plugs that are similar but not identical to European plugs. Essential Packing A small daypack for your day-to-day needs A photocopy of your passport data pages The voltage in India is 230-240V. Most outlets in India accept round 3 pin plugs (not a UK, European or USA plugs). You should pack a Universal Adaptor and check that it is suitable for India Insect repellent to guard against mosquitos Spare camera batteries/memory card Consider packing some pencils, pens or modest educational supplies that can be given to village schools or street children Buy some Indian Rupees at the airport on arrival Keep a supply of small notes for local transactions Arrival Transfers If your tour or short stay includes an airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the 'Inclusions' section of these Trip Notes) from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, our arrival procedure is as follows: Arrive to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, where after you have attended to customs and immigration formalities, please proceed to the arrival hall. Please have your tour voucher handy and make it available to our representative who will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, holding a prominent On The Go Tours logo signboard, ready to escort you to our awaiting transportation and onward to your start hotel. If, for any reason you have trouble locating our representative (after waiting 20 minutes in the arrival hall) or your flight to India is delayed please call the emergency contact number as stated on your tour voucher. Please do not leave the airport or go to the hotel on your own. Call our emergency contact number and follow the advice given by our local team. If travelling on our Captivating Kerala tour (with arrival via Kochi Airport), Railways of the Raj tour (with arrival via Kolkata) or one of our 'Short Stays' where an airport arrival transfer is included in your holiday, the procedure for meeting you at the airport is the same as those detailed above. Pre-Tour Accommodation If arriving on day 1 of a holiday that includes an airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the 'Inclusions' section of these Trip Notes) we will be at the airport, ready to transfer you to your hotel. Further if you are booking pre- -7-
tour accommodation with us an airport arrival transfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrives very, very early in the morning) consider purchasing a night of pre-tour accommodation to save you waiting until hotel check in time, which is generally 2pm. Shopping India is a virtual Aladdin s Cave. At the many bazaars known as chowks, the cardinal rule is to bargain hard. State run craft emporiums that stock the best of what a state has to offer can give you a reasonable idea of what is acceptable in terms of price and quality. You'll find carpets of quality equal to those of Persian origin, Rajasthani pottery and metalwork, embellished slippers known as jootis, jewellery in breathtaking designs. Likewise, leatherwork, silks and saris in spectacularly colourful designs, paintings and tub of spice. Indian chefs and cooks have about 25 spices on their regular list and it is from these that they produce the curry flavour. Normally spices are freshly ground with a pestle and mortar, and blended in certain combinations to produce varying flavours and heat. It is the freshness of the spices that transform the dish. Curries can be vegetable, meatlamb, mutton or chicken in content, though never beef. The cow is sacred to the Hindu people and India in general, so it is extremely rare to see beef on any menu across the country. Lamb also substitutes beef at McDonalds in India. Ask for a Maharajah Mac! Street Food Street food, although tasty and fabulous looking, cannot always be relied upon to have been safely and hygienically prepared, so to this end, we suggest you sample street style food from an established restaurant or from clothing make excellent souvenirs. somewhere recommended by your tour leader. IMPORTANT: Set your budget and don t be swayed, remember the caveat Let the buyer beware. Any purchases made whilst on holiday with us, irrespective of whether the store is recommended by us or other, are at your own discretion. Please make sure that you are completely happy with the product you are purchasing and the delivery arrangements (we would recommend you take away with you any purchases rather than rely on shipping services). On The Go cannot be held responsible or accountable for items bought in country or shipping arrangements. We will not become involved later in your holiday or once you return home should your purchase not live up to your expectations. Proceed with caution. Western Food Fabulous food! India s vast range of climates, cultures and peoples has produced a very diverse culinary repertoire. Curry is the word that springs to mind when people think of Indian food. Believe it or not, there is no such thing as curry in India. It s an English invention, an all-purpose term to cover the whole gamut of Indian spicing. Although all Indian food is certainly not curry, this is the basis of Indian cuisine. For the most part Indian food is very, very aromatic, since the spices used by Indian chefs and cooks in India don t arrive in the cooking pot via a pre-packed Some suggestions of what you may like to bring are: Wall charts map of the world, numbers, letters, multiplication tables. Any visual teaching resources, coloured cardboard, junior scissors, rulers, sharpeners, lead pencils Reading books suitable for any age between 4 12 yrs Sporting equipment cricket bat, tennis balls, soft balls, skipping ropes, elastics Toothbrushes, toothpaste, liquid soap for washrooms If Indian food becomes too much and you wish to escape to something familiar, Western-style food is available. Many menus in hotels and restaurants will feature dishes loosely based on Western recipes with perhaps just a hint of curry flavouring or spice. Indians like to experiment with other cuisine as well. Chinese cuisine in India is often very good. In the bigger cities, you ll find restaurants specialising in international cuisine, not to mention American fast food chains. Change For Children On many of our Group Tours we stop at one of two Village Schools where we operate our Change for Children programme. If travelling via Karauli you will meet the children at Nishabd local school (supporting deaf and blind children), and if via Bharatpur, Adarsh Vidya Mandir local school. If you have bought any educational items with you to hand out to children, this would be the time to do so. You can also make a donation to the school if you choose via our Change For Children Project. Your guide will hand out envelopes to those interested. All schools are closed from mid May through till the start of July for the Summer Vacation and then in December for Winter Vacation. Additionally, they may be closed throughout the year during festival weeks such as Holi, Diwali and others - including teacher training days which only tend to be announced a day or two prior. Accordingly, it will not be possible to visit the school during these times and should you have bought along items for the school, your guide will be happy to pass them on to the school when it re-opens on your behalf. -8-